Charles E. Crutchfield III MD

Recent Articles

Did you know that as we age, 25 percent of patients with a broken bone (especially hip) will need long-term care? Fractures, especially of the hip in those age 60 or older, will also increase your risk of dying within 12 months of the event. Bone strength and bone health are essential for a good, healthy life. When women go through menopause, their estrogen levels decrease, and estrogen is very essential in maintaining healthy bones. It is important to note that both men and women over the age of 50 are both at risk for developing osteopenia and osteoporosis and their subsequent negative aftereffects. Continue Reading →

What are kidney stones? Kidney stones are small stone-like objects formed from the crystallization of dietary minerals found in the urine. Most kidney stones have calcium as a major component. One in 10 people will experience kidney stones in their lifetime. Four out of five people with kidney stones are men. Continue Reading →

What is gout? Gout is an extremely painful, inflammatory condition that commonly affects the joints of the large toe, but can affect any joint. About two percent of all Americans experience gout; however, approximately twice as many African Americans (three to four percent) suffer from gout. Chronic gout can cause joint deformity and joint destruction.

What is a concussion? A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury. Concussions are the most common type of traumatic brain injury.

Why should I care about concussions? Concussions are becoming more and more common in contact physical athletics involving all ages, children to adult professionals. A recent government report estimates that over four million sports-related concussions occur in the United States annually. Concussions are also the most common type of traumatic brain injury seen in persons over the age of 65 secondary to falls. Continue Reading →

What are red birthmarks? Red birthmarks are actually proliferations or growths of blood vessels carrying red blood. Sometimes these birthmarks are present at birth; sometimes they will develop shortly after birth. They are termed “vascular lesions” by doctors.

Every minute of your doctor’s visit should count. Most typical medical visits, especially in primary care, last about 15 minutes. To optimize your visit with the doctor, you need your visit to be as efficient as possible. Here is a list of 10 steps to ensure your medical visit goes well and gives you the most benefits. Write down a list of medical concerns that you have, and list them in order of priority. Realize that most doctors’ visits can address approximately three concerns. Make the top three things on your list the most important for you. Continue Reading →

Keloids are a very common type of scar that can be unsightly, painful and itchy. Anyone can develop keloids, but people of color develop them 15 times more frequently than others. Keloids may also run in families. They commonly occur on the ears but are also seen on the upper chest, back and arms. These scars are often a result of an injury or acne scaring, and can be very difficult to treat.

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, but the creators of a breakthrough device are hoping to change that by encouraging smokers to use an alternative method. Commonly referred to as “e-cigarettes,” these battery-powered devices come in a variety of shapes and models, including those that resemble standard tobacco cigarettes and those that mimic cigars and tobacco pipes. E-cigarettes work by giving smokers a nicotine hit without actually exposing them to tobacco smoke. This is made possible due to a special chamber (atomizer) with a heating element and a liquid. The actual nicotine is in the liquid, along with propylene glycol and flavorings. The atomizer chamber aerosolizes this liquid, turning it into a vapor that can be inhaled, while also creating a vapor cloud that realistically resembles cigarette smoke. These vapors are essentially odorless unless the liquid is heavily flavored. Manufacturers claim that e-cigarettes are a safe alternative to the conventional use of tobacco in cigarettes, cigars or pipes. Continue Reading →

AKN stands for acne keloidalis nuchae. This condition is also known as folliculitis keloidalis nuchae, where small, very itchy bumps can occur at the nape of the neck and back of the scalp. This is most commonly seen in patients of color, particularly those of African descent, and is more prevalent in the male population. Many male patients believe this condition results from a barber shop treatment where the barber had unclean clippers. This is quite untrue, and I have seen many cases that develop without any previous

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a serious blood disease that produces pain, anemia, infections, and blood vessel blockages that can cause damage and death to organs downstream. Sickle cell disease occurs most often in African Americans and Hispanics in the United States. Sickle cell disease affects millions of people worldwide. People with African, Spanish, Mediterranean, and Indian ancestry are at increased risk. Approximately 120,000 infants are born with sickle cell disease every year. Continue Reading →